These Companies Are Stepping Up To Make Supplies Amid The Pandemic

Update: things are bad. More specifically, COVID-19 cases are spreading quickly all over the country,  hospitals are being inundated with people who need medical attention, and we are running out of supplies. The world was not prepared for this pandemic, and hospitals are really feeling that right now. Health care providers are struggling to treat their patients and themselves, as they are running low on COVID-19 testing kits, masks and ventilators. 

Without these supplies, health care providers will be unable to adequately do their jobs in a way that protects their patients and themselves, which will only worsen the spread.

It’s what one could call: a fucking disaster.

While many hospitals are still waiting to receive the supplies they need from the state and federal governments, some companies have stepped up to produce masks and other things to donate. Capitalists performing acts of socialism and getting some free press in the process. Yay? While the government has straight-up ordered companies like General Motors to retool their factories to manufacture ventilators, others are stepping up voluntarily.

Here are some brands that are using their forces for good and sending supplies to hospitals around the world. Capitalism, but make it fashion.

Prada is keeping it classy by using its factory in Italy to mass-produce hospital gowns and masks, and plans to use the site for this until at least April 6th. They plan to produce and distribute 80,000 hospital gowns and 110,000 masks We love to see it.

I’m impressed but will be watching to see if surgical masks make their way onto the runway next fashion week.

After reaching out to the New York governor’s office, the designer and “Project Runway” host recruited his talented team to churn out thousands of masks for health care providers treating COVID-19 patients. Their designs have been approved for use, and Siriano says his team can manufacturer up to 500 masks per day to help make up large shortages throughout the country. Click here to donate to their efforts.

Brooks Brothers

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This week we are in the process of converting our New York, North Carolina and Massachusetts factories from manufacturing ties, shirts and suits to now making masks and gowns. We plan to use these facilities to produce up to 150,000 masks per day on an ongoing basis, to help increase access to protective gear for health care workers and others battling the spread of COVID-19 at the nation’s hospitals and other facilities. We expect to soon begin production on protective gowns as well. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Over the past two weeks, we have been in direct contact with Federal and State officials, task forces, several major hospital systems, and other municipalities and organizations. As part of this effort, Brooks Brothers has partnered with StopTheSpread.org, a coalition of volunteer CEOs working in Washington, D.C. and around the U.S. to catalyze actions and support the government in response to COVID-19. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For more than 200 years, we’ve been at the forefront of tackling some of the nation’s most critical issues – from our support of the Red Cross Society in 1898 – to crafting U.S. military uniforms from the Civil War through today. We currently support numerous national and local charities with a focus on health and well-being. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “We consider this a duty, and part of our DNA at Brooks Brothers. We are deeply grateful to the medical personnel at the frontlines who are fighting the pandemic, and we are honored to do our part and join our peers in retail to provide protective masks that our healthcare system critically needs.” ––Claudio Del Vecchio, CEO

A post shared by Brooks Brothers (@brooksbrothers) on Mar 30, 2020 at 8:50am PDT

The company says it’s converting its factories in New England to produce 150,000 masks and gowns every day.

Ford, GE, and 3M

Ford is working with General Electric to  create a version of their ventilators. The car company is also working with 3M to help create respirators for health care workers working with COVID-19 patients.

The Good Influence Fund

Ok, so we can’t really make anything to help (other than fire memes). What we can do is use our reach to bridge the distance we’re all feeling at this time. We’ve selected four organizations mobilizing to support those whose lives have been impacted by the pandemic. Help us raise $100,000 to support the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment for medical workers, nutritious meals for families in need, direct cash assistance for laid-off services workers, and resources for victims of domestic violence.